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Moore: Hard work lies ahead

Tranmere manager Ronnie Moore admitted his team had "shot themselves in the foot" after a 3-1 defeat at Sheffield United.

Last Updated: 29/12/13 8:28pm

Tranmere manager Ronnie Moore admitted his team had "shot themselves in the foot" after a 3-1 defeat at Sheffield United.

Moore watched as goals from Jamie Murphy, Jose Baxter and Ryan Flynn saw Sheffield United climb above the visitors in the table although Ash Taylor restored some respectability in the closing stages.

"We are putting ourselves in situations whereby we have to score three goals to win a game," Moore said. "And that can't continue. That's obvious to anyone.

"If it's not the centre-halves that are causing problems then it is the full-backs or vice-versa. What we can't seem to do is put it all together as a group.

"Clearly, that's something we are going to have to work on.

"We spoke beforehand about not giving them (United) anything to hold on to. Not giving them any encouragement at all.

"So what do we do? We go out there and give them a goal.

"I've got no problems at all with us going forward. We've got goals in us without a shadow of a doubt.

"But we do have to get things sorted out at the other end of the pitch. That's what we'll be working hard to do."

Murphy ensured United seized control of this crucial League One fixture between two teams fighting for their lives towards the foot of the table by turning home beyon Owain Fon Williams in the seventh minute.

The former Scotland Under-21 international fired home on the turn after Neill Collins had met Baxter's corner.

Murphy's compatriots Flynn and Stephen McGinn went close soon after as United threatened to overwhelm Rovers.

But Lowe served notice that Moore's team would not go down without a fight when he tested George Long's handling having earlier seen a close-range effort cleared off the goal-line by Harry Maguire.

But when Baxter and Flynn pounced after the break, Rovers crumbled.

McGinn and Porter, who later drew a superb save from Fon Williams, combined to present Baxter with the opportunity to claim his fourth goal in only five outings before Flynn's powerful finish put the game beyond Rovers' reach before Taylor's late consolation.